Hey!

Not really a trip report but a few notes about a recent 10 day visit.

AA all the way, MCO/MIA/SXM ...flawless....bulkhead seats, friendly FA's.

Coral Beach Villa 19 and Sonesta Maho....perfect !

PARADISE RENT A CAR.......10 days in a CHARADE for $240.00 with insurance, out the door.

Sleepy time on the Island and you have to make your own fun. The traffic situation is constantly improving with the congestion at the pedestrian crosswalk GONE due to the new diversionary road around the PJIA parking lot.

The new Cole Bay Midas Muffler area roundabout was opened a few days ago and will also relieve some congestion there.

A number of restaurants were closed; some permanent and others for the season. Some of the restaurants that were VERY busy were :

Pineapple Pete
Bajatzu
Karakter
Uncle Harry’s

Happy Hour entertainment and mixing were definitely best at:

Buccaneer Beach Bar
Uncle Harry’s

Late night for the club set seems best at the new TANTRA followed closely by BLISS.

All night entertainment continues to thrive at THE RED PIANO.

A definite one hour diversion we enjoyed on the last 2 Sunday afternoons was the ONE HOUR Bingo from 3 to 4 p.m. at HOLLYWOOD CASINO…it’s a blast! A BIG prize of 14 K hasn’t gone as yet.

As a result of slow business some restaurants appeared to have marked up items to take advantage of those visitors who were at hand…not nice, and when noted we went someplace else. Don’t ask, see for yourself as I refuse to diss anybody.

Best breakfasts enjoyed were at La Croissanterie in Marigot, MAHO Food Express buffet and as always; SUGAR CANE CAFÉ at Atlantis Casino.

Late night for foodies is well served at ESPN in the Pineapple Pete complex…open until 4 a.m. with a good menu and decent coffee.

Regardless of hot weather etc. this is a great time to visit. You can linger on near empty beaches, get bargains on accommodations and really relax.

That’s about it for now….take note I’m totally into visiting familiar spots and don’t venture too far from the general Simpson Bay area. Also note that BUSY restaurants are the place to be…eating in an empty room is like being home alone…….

This was a great trip due to the ever increasing number of friends and acquaintances to visit with. It was good to see Bill and Elaine, Dee and many others. It was also encouraging to meet with Chloe Cosner and Thierry at their boutique in SAPPHIRE BEACH RESORT. Mamawata has a neat selection of goods and is worth a see. Good luck C & T !

yea, I heard you stopped in to see Dee but never called me.
gee, thanks a lot.
too buys partying in Simpson Bay I guess LOL
glad you had a good time.. as you always do.
do you have some names of retsuarnts that are permanently closed?

[barcann.livejournal.com]

Hey Barb!

Sorry I missed you...will be down in a few weeks...

Closed indefinitely restaurants were hearsay and included Ric's Place and Tijuana. There were also rumours of many in the Marina in Marigot.

SMYC ( Spinnakers) is another indefinite as well as Blue Martini and perhaps a new management team is in store.

If anybody has definite info it would be better....you never know from day to day...

Rumour also has it that SUMMIT RESORT is without a bar and restaurant except for the Deep Bleu bar and grill "down the stairs"

Denis

























Denis

Thanks Denis for the pleasant trip report! Glad you had a great time as always.

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.

Thanks sweetie for the non trip report. See you in October!

Hey big guy! Good to see you again - thanks for the pics. A couple of updates:

Ric's Place to open in October with new owners - per Tamara

Tijuana has been open a few nights. You never know when, tho.

Blue martini closed for good. Gonna be torn down for a road.

Thanks for the island updates Denis....any word as to who is gonna reopen Ric's ?

Denis thanks for your report. I always love reading current info in travel reports.Hopefully we'll make our annual Feb Pres wks trip since no Thanksgiving trip planned this yr for us.Any plane shots coming? thanks, Bob

Hey Bob!

Planes somewhat redundant this trip, nothing special except a couple of newer Twin Otters for WINAIR and all their Islanders have been sold. Shot some fun stuff on Barth's and will post later. After a few thousand pics since July 12th. all over I'm a bit burnt out but I'll add a couple for y'alls background collection.

Hey Bruce!

I have no idea of who owns, will own or has leased what. If the prices are right and food is good I'll eat from any owner.

Hey Lula!

I may be around Halloween but M is timed out this year and her company taken over by a Texas group ( CENTURY TEL ) She's in the DR solo this week to relax...says she doesn't get to do that with me,,,I also won't do AI because of alcohol, meat, fish and sugar free program. BORING !

Den










Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/2009 03:30PM by BIGDENX.

Excellent photos. Thanks!

[www.vrbo.com]

Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.

those photos make me dizzy LOL

[barcann.livejournal.com]

Just another 10 days in paradise Den? Building a history is half the fun.

SXM??? Wendell

Den, Thanks for the shot in the arm, nice photo.Life is tough when we get too tired of taking pictures, HaHa.We're thinking about sneaking in a New Years trip if possible but who knows.Thanks again, Bob

Thanks for your observations. Always love you pics.